A wise person once said: "Good intentions can have unintended consequences." CMHC data on the number of rental units now under construction proves the point.

Rental construction has 2,500-3,000 units under construction right now with typical absorption around 1,000 per year (assuming normal population growth which is slowing due to changes in immigration). This graph doesn't account for the growing number of new secondary suites also coming on stream with home construction in many of our new neighbourhoods.

This oversupply will put significant downward pressure on rental rates in the coming months and possibly into early 2027. If rent control policy were to be layered on top:

• It would stop new rental construction in its tracks.

• There would be higher unemployment in our construction and trades.

• It would put extreme pressure on homeowners who rely on secondary suite income to meet their mortgage payments.

• There could be a spillover effect into housing market where those same homeowners vacate the market, increasing supply on that side, and depressing home values (limiting or reducing new housing stock.)

While rent control policies are well-intended and make for good talking points, a sustainable market will deliver affordability faster (and more effectively) than most anything else. In the meantime, targeted, income-tested supports direct to renters could provide more immediate relief – which can’t come soon enough for many of Saskatoon’s employers, workers and their families.